Mom and Dad's Awesome Day

On Thursday August 29th, Mac and I decided to cash in our Father's Day Groupon for a helicopter flight from Newberg over the Willamette Valley.

Our craft

Ready for take-off!

"We're flying!"

Hovering low

Soaring high

Getting a sneak peak at Heizer Farm's corn maze

After checking helicopter ride off of our bucket list, we decided to check out the candy making monks in Amity. We arrived at a quaint little chapel in the middle of nowhere.

The church had four beautiful stained glass panels depicting monks, but there was a lady in there who was praying and I wasn't sure if snapping photos was in line. So instead, I posed with Our Lady of Consolation.

In Amity, consolation can be found in delectable confections made by the monks. Like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, we rang the mysterious doorbell, not knowing what to expect. A very solemn guy in plain clothes (and a bit of a mullet) led us into a plain room with shelves lined with goodie boxes. We fairly quickly picked out a pound of fudge, a pound of praline fudge, and a box of truffles.

"Are there ever tours of the chocolate making facilities?" I ask as Mac forks over the cash.

"No," our very chatty attendant responds, and with that, our chocolate purchasing is complete, leaving Mac and I to contemplate whether or not or companion was a monk or not.

Afterwards, we headed off to Blue Goat for a delicious local grown meal.

"All of the main ingredients come from a 20 mile radius" or server tells us as we are munching on a calamari appetizer.

"Really? Where does the squid come from?"

"Umm, not the calamari." Then he sees our hummus. "The garbanzo beans aren't from around here either. But all the meats and vegetables." Though we had a few things that weren't exactly "farm to table" dinner was superb and they have a huge wood fired oven to make yummy fresh bread. I recommend the place highly (even the frozen calamari from California was delicious), but save room for dessert - both offering were to die for! We didn't even have to open our fudge!

Too Cute!

Need I say more? :)

Second Tooth

Megan's first adult tooth is growing in nicely, but we don't have to say good bye to that gapped grin just yet. On August 26th out popped tooth #2.

"What do you think the Tooth Fairy will leave me? " Megan asked.

"I don't know but I am so excited to find out."

"Me, too, Mom, but you are being sarcastic and I'm not!"

But everyone was super excited the next morning to find a one dollar bill and a small box of multi-colored sequins from the Tooth Fairy. Gosh, I can hardly wait to find out what Megan will get for tooth #3!

Liamisms

August 18th was Liam's half birthday and he tried to use it for leverage.

"Mom, how many presents do I get?"

"Mom, can we go to Chuck E. Cheese?"

"Mom, can we make a cake and have ice cream?"

I finally had to put my foot down: "Liam, you don't get anything on your half birthday. Your Mom and Dad give you a hug and say 'Happy Half Birthday!' and that is it."

"Uuurg!!" Liam's frustration mounted. "But it isn't happy if we don't do anything!"

So Unhappy half birthday to Liam, who is now four and a half, but still young enough that life's not fair, especially when Megan gets to do everything and Liam never gets anything. ;)

****

Earlier this month, I was trying to mediate a "discussion" between Mac's parents.

"I don't know why you are getting involved," Mac informed me, "You are playing with fire."

Liam was suddenly interested. "Why are you playing with fire."

And so I explained to Liam that playing is just an expression that means you are doing something dangerous.

After which Liam demonstrates his comprehension: "So when you are playing with knives, you are playing with fire."

Ummm, yeah. :)

There's always lots of silliness when Liam is around.

Emergency Summer Update...By Request

So what have we been up to in the last 8 weeks since losing a tooth?

We ran through Zion and Bryce,
We earned another buckle (and another Top 10 finish at Western States),
We made a fashion statement,
We learned to play Go Fish
We celebrated the 4th of July with old friends

We got personal with the sharks at the Newport Aquarium

We got clean after a good day at the beach
We celebrated transformation with Team Optimus Prime
We played with cousinsWe went to the zoo
We were eaten by dinosaurs!

We made magic potions at Timothy Lake.
Went to a wedding
Developed a love for light sabers
and very reluctantly danced with Daddy.

Hope you've been having a good summer, too!

(btw - blogger is possessed; it turns your font blue and underlines things for no reason)

Missing Tooth!

Megan has been working diligently for the last month to get her first tooth to fall out. Her effort finally paid off - the tooth is out! The tooth was floppy when Megan went to bed and Mac said he knew Megan wouldn't sleep until she got that thing out...he was right!

So tonight the tooth is in the pillow waiting for the Tooth Fairy to come. And I am once again hit by the reality of my little girl growing up. I am also hit by shock as it seems that the going rate for a first tooth is FIVE BUCKS! Are you kidding me?!? Just for minuscule piece of worthless dentin? Man, I wish I had saved my teeth, their value is going up faster than gold!

Aaah, yes, but...

Paying for the first tooth - five dollars

Seeing your child with a gapped tooth grin of pride - priceless

So if you'll excuse me, I think I hear the Tooth Fairy coming.

What Day Exactly??

Mac has decided that we will be having a 4th of July party at our house this year. (Come on over, you are invited!). Only we are having it on July 3rd because I want to take the kids to a big fireworks show this year. Liam overheard a snippet of the conversation and wanted the scoop.

Liam: Are we having a 4th of July party?

Mac (thinking he is funny): Yes, only it is on the 3rd of July.

Liam: There is no third of July!

Mac: Liam! What day is the third of July?

Liam pauses, gives thought and finally answers: July third.

Mac: Right, Liam! And what day is the 4th of July?

Liam: June 14th.